5. There are two categories of products:
- regional products of known origin, for which the
Protected Designation of Origin and Protected Geographical
Indication designations apply,
- traditional products.
6. Products made in a specific
region, place or (exceptionally)
country. The name of this
place or region is reserved for
the specific protected product.
Protected Designation
of Origin
7. products produced in
a specific region, place or
(exceptionally) country. The
designation is awarded to
a product at least one stage of
whose production process
takes place in the defined
area.
Protected Geographical
Indication
8. A traditional agricultural
product or foodstuff
recognized by the Community
due to its specific character.
Traditional Speciality
Guaranteed
9. The quality designation
'mountain product'
emphasizes the specificity
of such a product
produced in mountain
areas with harsh natural
conditions.
Mountain products
10. It is difficult to farm in the EU's
outermost regions because
they are islands far from
Europe and are subject to
difficult weather and
geographical conditions. In
order to provide greater
awareness of agricultural
products from the EU's
outermost regions a special
logo has been developed.
Product from the EU's
outermost regions
In a great many countries, especially highly developed ones, interest in food with traditional production methods and known origin has been evident for several decades. This consumer demand has been reflected in the European Common Agricultural Policy, which can boldly be described as a quality policy. All European legislation is moving in the direction of promoting quality food.
In 1992, the European Union adopted a series of regulations protecting foods with specific characteristics.
In 1992, the European Union adopted a series of regulations that give special protection to producers, often small-scale, who produce precisely such foods, whose special characteristics are linked to the environment in which they are produced and to tradition.
A European labelling system was created to recognize these exceptional products.
As part of the European policy on quality and protection of exceptional products, there are two categories of products:
- regional products of known origin, for which the Protected Designation of Origin and Protected Geographical Indication designations apply,
- traditional products covered by the Traditional Speciality Guaranteed designation.
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) - products made in a specific region, place or (exceptionally) country. The name of this place or region is reserved for the specific protected product.
The designation is awarded to a product whose entire technological process, i.e. production, processing and preparation, takes place in the defined geographical area. The quality or characteristics are exclusive to this geographical setting, the so-called natural factor together with the human factor. The link to the region (place, country) must be so strong that it becomes impossible to produce the product elsewhere. Agricultural products for human consumption (crops, livestock products, fishery products and products of first processing in connection with these products) or foodstuffs (including beer, bread, pastry, cakes, confectionery, other bakery products, pasta, cork and cotton) can apply for the PDO label.
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) - products produced in a specific region, place or (exceptionally) country. The designation is awarded to a product at least one stage of whose production process takes place in the defined area.
However, the link between the product and the region need not be as close as in the case of a product with a Protected Designation of Origin. The designation is awarded to a product at least one stage of whose production process takes place in the defined area. A quality, reputation or other characteristic may be attributed to this geographical origin. The quality of the product may be due to natural or human factors, such as climate, vegetation, specific soil, relief or an unvarying traditional local method. Agricultural products for human consumption (crops, livestock products, fishery products and products of first processing in connection with these products) or foodstuffs (beer, bread, pastry, cakes, confectionery, other bakery products, pasta, cork and cotton, among others) can apply for the PGI mark.
Traditional Speciality Guaranteed - a traditional agricultural product or foodstuff recognized by the Community due to its specific character.
Traditional Speciality Guaranteed - a traditional agricultural product or foodstuff recognized by the Community due to its specific character, i.e. a characteristic or set of characteristics that clearly distinguish it from other products belonging to the same category. The unique quality of a product results from its special composition and method of production. Often the product originates from a particular country or region, but their widespread distribution and reputation means that they can also be produced in other countries. A prerequisite for an application to be accepted is that it is submitted by a group of producers. Agricultural products for human consumption (crops, livestock products, fishery products and products of first processing in connection with these products) or foodstuffs (e.g. beer, drinks made from plant extracts, chocolate, bread, pastry, cakes, confectionery, pasta) as well as ready meals can apply for the TSG label.
Mountain products
Other designations.
The quality designation 'mountain product' emphasizes the specificity of such a product produced in mountain areas with harsh natural conditions.
The use of such a designation is beneficial for both farmers and consumers - farmers can more easily sell products whose certain characteristics are more easily recognizable to consumers.
Product from the EU's outermost regions
It is difficult to farm in the EU's outermost regions because they are islands far from Europe and are subject to difficult weather and geographical conditions. In order to provide greater awareness of agricultural products from the EU's outermost regions (the French overseas departments - Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion and Martinique - as well as the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands), a special logo has been developed.
